Rail police to step up patrols

23 July 2010

BRITISH Transport Police will be stepping up patrols on the London Underground during the summer holidays as part of a new operation to crackdown on offences on the tracks including trespassers and stone throwing.

As part of Operation Rhino officers will be patrolling the above ground sections of the District Line from Plaistow to Barking and targeting trespassers on the tube tracks as well as stone throwing among other offences.

Chris Dreyfus, BTP Chief Inspector, said: "School holidays are usually times when we see an increase in these types of offences as the railway seems to be an appealing place for youngsters to mess around.

"It may seem like harmless fun but in reality trespassing on the railway is extremely dangerous and these offences carry real penalties. "

Mark Lewis, Security Risk Manager at London Underground, said: "The railway is not a playground and trespassing on the tracks and throwing things at trains is not only dangerous but can have serious - and sometimes fatal - consequences."

Trespass, stone-throwing and obstructing the railway should be reported to BTP on 0800 40 50 40 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency dial 999.

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